Confessions of a tourist: It was paradise  we were snakes

During his gap year in Australia, Sandy Humphrey found out how low he could go

THE AUSSIES are quick to boast that, of the10 deadliest snakes in the world, half are native to Australia. But the truth is that most of the snakes are rare, and nearly all of them are shy of humans. To be in any danger of being bitten, you have to be incredibly unlucky or incredibly stupid.

During my gap year, I found myself working on an upland farm in the New England Ranges, a few hours north of Sydney. We herded sheep, we mustered cattle, we cleared bush and we mended fences.

Our day off was Sunday. We had no transport, and a trip to the nearest town was out of the question. Even a taxi to the local pub would cost more than a week’s wages.